Local groups attacking obesity in pre-schoolers

GAINESVILLE - The Healthy Beginnings collaborative will be hosting a health session, For the Health of It: A New Beginning for Your Family, based on the HBO documentary "The Weight of the Nation."

During the session, attendees will view excerpts from the documentary as well as hear from a panel that includes a pediatrician and registered dietitian. They will also learn easy ways to incorporate exercise into their day, and how to make healthy choices when grocery shopping.

Earlier this year, Gov. Nathan Deal announced a major statewide initiative to address obesity in Georgia. In his comments he said that "one in every five Georgia children is obese." The childhood obesity rate in Georgia is the second highest in the country.

"Awareness of the problem is the first step in assisting families to address or prevent childhood obesity," says Jackie Wallace, President of United Way of Hall County, one of the organizations sponsoring the session.

There will be two opportunities to attend For the Health of it: A New Beginning for Your Family: Thursday, October 25, at Walters Auditorium at Northeast Georgia Medical Center and Thursday, November 15, at Gainesville State College in the Continuing Education Building. Both sessions will begin at 5:00 with refreshments followed by the program from 5:30 - 7:00.

Both sessions are free. To register, please call 678-989-5332.

Healthy Beginnings; a collaborative focused on children under five years of age is comprised of United Way of Hall County, Good News Clinics, Hall County Family Connection Network, Gainesville Parks and Recreation, Vision 2030, and Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Not wanting to duplicate efforts of several community initiatives currently addressing obesity rates within school settings with a focus on school lunches, recess and movement, the Healthy Beginnings collaborative made the decision to focus on children under five years of age by providing education for parents, grandparents, and other caregivers of young children on the importance of developing good nutritional habits early in life.

Link: The Weight of the Nation